As Sky News’ Amber Elliott points out, the LibDems’ own rules say that “during the course of the Disciplinary Procedure, the person being complained against may be suspended from membership of the Party”. This is expected to happen later today. Fresh from the Rennard scandal, Clegg cannot be seen to dither on this one, though it’s too late for that. These allegations have been circulating for years and Clegg’s office were notified about them directly, as Guido revealed in February.

So why so keen to act all of a sudden?

Well a source familiar with the High Court action against the MP suggests that “LibDem leaders, past and present, could well be called to give evidence” in the upcoming civil case. Why Clegg ignored this dossier, and why the Leader of Portsmouth Council dismissed the allegations as “political” might well be of interest to the judge. Would give a new meaning to Call Clegg…